I think that scenario is actually changing really fast, Rob. Users are pushing for use of their device of choice on the job and don't even care if they are issued a corporate Android or iPhone. Really what they'd prefer is having one device and since a growing part of the population already has a personal smart phone, the trend around BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is accelerating in spades. As a result, more companies are pulling the plug on purchasing phones (can you say bye, bye Blackberry) and instituting BYOD policies, which include stipends and reimbursement plans as opposed to the traditional corporate-issued device.

You've nailed it, Beth. The emerging BYOD trend is similar to owning a favorite pair of shoes -- they are definitely required on the job, but are very personal in nature, one-size definitely does not fit all, some folks have special needs, and we all like to display our personal style. Once a smart phone gets skinned with personal preferences and activated with dozens of personal passwords, contacts, and media, it really doesn't make sense to use an industrial-brick corporate device. I'm afraid RIM is learning this a bit too late. I'm worried that it is even too late for Microsoft...

That's it Beth. The "smart phone?" has become an expression of ones personality. I use and question the name "phone", "tablet", or "pod" because everything is merging into a mid-sized "do box" that you can customize to be "you" in every way your want it to be.

That explains a lot, Beth. I know purchasing managers are not quick to switch from BlackBerry to iPhones or Android phones (which is the only good news RIM has received in recent years). Yet the Blackberry is a generation behind the iPhone and Android. So people using their own iPhones and Androids for work makes perfect sense.

@Rob: Purchasing managers might not want to switch because they have good, negotiated telco/phone contracts, but CIOs and potentially CFOs are seeing that the IT group just can't afford to provide the range of choice and staff up to support all the various flavors. With that in mind, they're going back to the drawing board and architecting new mobility and telco reimbursement policies that give users the option of bringing in their preferred device and getting reimbursed, much like an expense report, in some cases, or like a monthly stipend (think of it as a small car payment). Most companies have not totally pulled the plug on the corporate-issued option, but my guess is that's not too far off in the future.

About the only ray of sunshine for RIM at present is the issue of security. Many (read "most") IT departments don't want the headache of having to manage security for a multitude of different devices on a multitude of different platforms. If you've ever had to deal with IT (which is probably the majority of us) you know they do NOT accept new responsibilities without a squawk (and additional funding). And I can't exactly say I blame them, because you never know what bizarre junk a user has installed on their own personal smartphone that is being used for work. That potential liability cannot be underestimated.

On the subject of smartphones in general, my elder son set me straight about a year ago with the following comment (imagine a patronizing, slightly impatient tone of voice as you read this) "Dad, a smartphone these days is just a handheld computer that has a phone-call-making app installed." Basically, that is exactly correct; to support that usage they include a speaker and microphone that also are used to record sounds and play music. The only real cell phones on the market these days are those old-fashioned "feature phones" used mainly by the elderly (and my wife). They've got a dial pad, and maybe even a camera, and that's it.

@Chuck_IAG: Your son is exactly right. The phones are really portable computers and that's why people in business want to use one device for both their personal stuff and as an aid in getting their work done. And you are right again that IT is struggling with how to manage and support all these myriad devices, most of which they no longer have control over in terms of what goes on them. Interesting times, to say the least, but back to the subject of RIM, not good news for them. Your point about their edge with security is certainly true, but other players are definitely catching up.

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